Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth came to defense of suspended Chargers safety

Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James was denied in his appeal of a suspension stemming from a hit on Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Two fines came from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 4 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers: Steelers tight end Darnell Washington and Chargers safety Derwin James.

Washington is appealing a $6,000 fine for an illegal crackback block, but there’s no word as to whether it was upheld.

James was suspended without pay for one game for “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players” after lowering his head on a hit on Pat Freiermuth.

James did appeal the ruling but was denied. According to Pat McAfee, Freiermuth was on the appeal call and came to Derwin’s defense, saying he didn’t believe the hit to be dirty.

This marks James’ first suspension, but he was fined $65,565 in 2023 for unnecessary roughness penalties and hits to defenseless players.

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